News on Irish Rowing, Angling, Waterskiing, Canoeing, Diving and Sea Swimming
The 32 men selected as official Rose Escorts for the 2026 Rose of Tralee International Festival have completed a demanding bootcamp weekend in County Kerry. Surfing sessions at Maharees, teamwork challenges and practical tests formed part of a packed programme…
A prohibition on recreational water activities including sea swimming has been issued for nine popular areas in south Dublin due to heavy rainfall. Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has issued the ban with effect until June 11th. The areas affected are…
A new investigation by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) says the global squid industry is characterised by widespread illegal fishing, environmental destruction and severe human rights abuses among crew. The EJF says it has drawn on five years of research,…
Minister Tells Anglers Fines ’Not Fit for Purpose’ After Fish Stocks ‘Wipeout’ by Agricultural Discharge in Co Louth River
7th June 2026 Angling
The Minister of State for Fisheries, Timmy Dooley has told anglers that fines are “not fit for purpose” as he visited the Co Louth river affected by a significant fish kill. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI)…
Atlantic Oarswoman Karen Weekes Publishes Second Edition of Book On Her Extreme Adventure
6th June 2026 Book Review
Atlantic Ocean solo rower Dr.Karen Weekes has just published the second edition of her book on her voyage, after the success of her first run. The initial edition of Turbulent Waters–Coping in Extremes sold out in just six weeks. New Edition…
Surfer, author and marine social scientist Dr Easkey Britton is the keynote speaker at an Irish Ocean Literacy Network (IOLN) community dialogue in Strandhill, Sligo, on June 12th. Entitled “Marine Identity: Atlantic horizons”, it is the second event under the…
With power hoses, shovels, and lots of elbow grease, members of Grainne Uaile Sub-Aqua Club and Search and Recovery Unit in Mayo have cleaned a public slipway that was at risk of a serious incident. Kilcummin slipway in north Mayo is…
Discarded and lost fishing gear remains a serious and often invisible hazard for cruising sailors in Irish and nearby waters. A recent near‑miss in the St George’s Channel, when viewed alongside a previous Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) investigation off the West Cork coast,…
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) says it is investigating a “locally significant” fish kill on the River Glyde in Co Louth. The incident occurred in the vicinity of Tallanstown, some 13km south-west of Dundalk. Fisheries environmental officers have been on site…
Ireland must move from ambition to delivery in protecting its marine environment, delegates at the Fair Seas World Ocean Week Conference in Cork have heard. The conference at Cork City Hall today (Wednesday, June 3) brought together international conservation experts,…
Mediator Appointed To Resolve Deadlock At Seafood Industry/ORE Working Group
1st June 2026 Marine Planning
A Government mediator has been appointed to resolve an impasse between the commercial fishing and offshore renewable energy (ORE) sectors. As The Irish Times reports, Minister of State for Fisheries and Marine Timmy Dooley says the effort is “making progress”.…
Family of Deceased Triathlete Decry ‘Serious Lack of Accountability’ Over Youghal Ironman Event
30th May 2026 Sea Swim
The family of one of two men who died during an Ironman triathlon in East Cork have criticised the local authority and event organisers for “a serious lack of accountability”. As The Journal reports, the inquest in to the death…
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has appointed Richard Donnelly as its new chief executive officer (CEO). The appointment by the BIM board followed “an open and competitive recruitment process”, and Mr Donnelly will take up the position with immediate effect, it…
Analysis by Tom MacSweeney Rebuilding trust is difficult to do, but that is at the core of the detailed report by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and Marine Affairs into the operation of Ireland’s sea fisheries protection system. Can…
The Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation (IFPO) has appointed Donegal woman India Kennedy as Executive Assistant to its chief executive, with the role based primarily in Brussels. Ms Kennedy will support the Killybegs-based organisation’s engagement with EU institutions while also assisting…
MARA Study Raised Concerns About Impact of Surveys At Sea On Marine Life
27th May 2026 Marine Planning
A new study for Ireland’s marine regulator says that repeated geophysical and geotechnical surveys, which are also clustered and overlap with sensitive habitats, could negatively impact marine life.As Afloat has reported, the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) published a study…
